Working inmates in Latvia earned average net wage of €282 at private companies last year
According to the Latvian Prison Administration's 2025 public report, 761 inmates were employed last year, with those working for private companies earning an average net monthly wage of €282. Daugavgrīva Prison had the highest number of employed inmates.
A newly published 2025 report by Latvia's Prison Administration reveals how much convicted inmates earned while working during their sentences. Inmates employed in prisons' own economic services earned an average net monthly wage of €102, while those working in jobs created by private companies earned €282 on average.
In total, 761 inmates were employed last year. Of these, 289 worked in prison economic services, while 472 worked in positions created by private companies. Among the latter group were 11 women from Iļģuciema Prison.
Most employment at Daugavgrīva
The highest number of employed inmates was recorded at Daugavgrīva Prison in Daugavpils, where 97 inmates worked in economic services and another 136 in company-created jobs.
Industries involved
Based on cooperation agreements signed last year, inmates worked in sewing, woodworking, trade, packaging material production, and catering. Sewing operations ran at Riga Central Prison (with SIA "Niso"), Iļģuciema Prison (SIA "Viļakas tekstils"), and Daugavgrīva Prison (SIA "Jake"). In woodworking, inmates worked for several companies across Daugavgrīva, Jelgava, and Valmiera prisons, including SIA "Domsa", SIA "SC Koks", SIA "Successu" and SIA "Solidis". Auxiliary work at SIA "Lenoka" stores involved inmates from several prisons, while packaging material production and assembly at Riga Central Prison was handled by SIA "VP Balt".
Work outside prison grounds
Inmates from the open departments of Olaine and Jēkabpils prisons also worked for various companies outside prison territory last year, with some from Olaine working beyond the municipality's borders entirely. Companies involved included SIA "Maxima Latvija", SIA "Pata Jēkabpils", SIA "NDB Timber" and SIA "MK dizains".
